Machine for calculating the cost of telephone calls



B. D. WILLIS June 18, 19466 MACHINE FOR CALCULATING THE COST OF TELEPHONE CALLS Filed Nov. 21, 1941 74 t: E E E l wwww wmmmwfiw mmwwwwmwwma m JQBIQ ES Em m? m M? 8 OZ E N? E 3% Q2 6.? 0% E Fmm 8% 1 H 3% mm 1 Q Em 8a 3. am;

(O Y INVENTOR. BERNARD D. WILLIS ATTORNEYS Patented June 18, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR CALCULATING THE COST OF TELEPHONE CALLS Bernard D. Willis, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to An tomatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application November 21, 1941, Serial No. 419,848

. tial charge, representing the initial three minute time interval of the time duration of the call, and an additional charge, representing the overtime beyond the initial three minute time interval of the time duration of the call; also the individual amounts of the two charges mentioned are deterinined in accordance with the zone or rate applicable to the call.

According y. the principal object of the present invention is to provide a machine which is opera- 6 Claims. v (CL 235-4115) that disclosed in U. B. Patent No. 2,216,528, Bernard D. Willis, granted October 1, 1940, and is produced by a ticket producing machine of the character of that also disclosed in the patent mentioned. As disclosed in the Willis patent, the ticket producing machine is disposed at a toll operator position and is operatively associated with one of the cord circuits thereat; the ticket producing machine and the associated cord circuit are so organized that a line is scribed or drawn along the front marginal edge of the preprinted toll ticket ll during the time interval the toll connectionis established, whereby the length of the line mentioned corresponds to the time duration of the completed toll connection.

Also the operator at the toll operator position fills out the necessary data on the preprlnted toll ticket ll concerning the calllng'and called exchanges, the calling and called subscriber substations, the zone or rate applicable to the call between the calling and called exchanges, the

date of the call and the time of completion or tive to calculate the cost of a telephone call from a previously prepared ticket.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type noted which embodies an arrangement for printing the cost of the call in monetary values on the ticket after the calculu tion mentioned is made.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type noted which is of relatively simple and compact construction and arrangement and substantially entirely fully automatic in operation and which renders thoroughly reliable service.

The invention, both as'to its on and method of operation. o ether with further obiects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1' illustrates schematically a machine for calculating the cost of. a toll call in monetary values from a previously prepared toll ticket and embodying the present invention; and 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the carriage of the machine shown in Fig. 1 supporting one of the previously pre-e pared toll tickets.

Referring now more particularly to the drawlng, there is illustrated a machine II which is operative to calculate the cost of a toll call in monetary values from a previously prepared toll ticket H and then to print the calculated cost upon the face ofthetoll ticket H.

termination of the call, as practice requires. The completed toll ticket II is then forwarded to the billing department wherein the calculating machine ll is utilized to establish the cost of the call in monetary values and to print the established cost of the call on the face of the toll ticket ll, in a manner more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawing, it is noted that the completed toll ticket ll there illustrated was prepared at the toll operator position in conjunction with a toll call which was extended from a calling subscriber substation having the directory number 1234 in the originating exchange ABC to a called subscriber substation having the directory number 5678 in the terminating exchange XYZ; that the zone 'or rate 4 is applicable to the call; that the call was made on 10/16/41; and that the call was completed or terminated at 1:35 p. m., as prac-.

tice requires. Further it will be noted that the ticket producing machine at the toll operator position scribed or drew a line I! along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket I! with reference to the indicia scale preprinted thereon indicating that the toll call was completed during a time interval of eight minutes.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 oi the drawing, it is noted that the calculating machine ll comprises a carriage l3 suitably mounted for sliding movement back and forth in a horizontal plane, an operating motor H, a rotatably mounted drive shait i5 and an inter- Preierably, 2c toll ticket if is of the term of a connecting gear box l6. Preferably, the motor I4 is an electric motor of the constant speed synchronous type; and the gear box l6 contains suitable reduction gearing, whereby the drive shaft I5 is constantly driven at a substantially uniform slow speed in the counterclockwise direction. Also the machine l comprises a rotatably mounted operating shaft carrying a bevel gear I8 which meshes a cooperating bevel gear l9 fixed to a rotatably mounted idler shaft 20; the operating shaft I! being disposed in alignment with the drive shaft I and the idler shaft 20 being disposed behind and in right angular intersecting relationship with respect to the operating shaft H. The bevel gear l9 carries a drive gear 2| which is arranged in meshing relation with respect to a rack 22 fixed to the carriage l3.

the outer end of the drive shaft l5, a magnetic friction plate 25 secured to the inner end of the operating shaft I! and an electromagnet M26. The friction plate 25 is slidably secured to the operating shaft H for movement toward and away from the friction disk 24 by an arrangement comprising a pin and slot connection 2|28, the pin 21 being rigidly secured to the operating shaft I! and slidably engaging the slot 28 formed in a sleeve 29 carried by the friction plate 25. The friction plate 25' and consequently the operating shaft H are normally biased in the clockwise direction by a helical coil spring 30 surrounding the operating shaft one endof the coil spring 30 being secured to a pin 3| carried by the sleeve'29 of the friction plate 25 and the other end of the coil spring 30 being secured to an external support 32. Accordingly the coil spring 30 biases the operating shaft H and consequently the bevel gear l8 in the clockwise direction; whereby the cooperating bevel gear IS, the idler shaft 26 and the drive gear 2| are biased in the clockwise direction, thereby to urge the rack 22 and the carriage I3 toward the left into a fully retracted normal position.

Further the machine I0 comprises a rotatably mounted stub shaft'33 and clutch mechanism 34, the stub shaft 33 being arranged in alignment with the operating shaft I1 and theclutch mechanism 34,beingadaptedoperatively to connect the operating shaft I! to the stud shaft 33. More particularly, the clutch mechanism 34 comprises a nonmagneticfriction disk 35 secured to the outer end of the operatingshaft ii, a

magneticfriction disk36 secured to the inner end of the stub shaft 33, and two electromagnets M31 and M38. The stub shaft .33 is slidably supported formovement toward and away from the operating shaft ll.

Further the machine l0 comprises a register 39, including a rotatably mounted register shaft 40 arranged in alignment with the stub shaft 33, a ten dollar order 4|, a unit dollar order 42, a ten cent order 43, and a unit cent order 43; the orders mentioned being operatively connected to the register shaft 40 in accordance with conventional practice. Also the register 39 comprises a ten dollar -order set key K45, a unit dollar order set key K46, a ten centorder set key K41 and a unit cent order set key K 38, as well as a release or clearout key K49. It will readily be understood that the individual orders 8| to that the register 33 may be released or cleared out by the release or clear-out key K43.

.Further the machine Ill comprises speed control mechanism 50 of the friction type including two rotatably supported and aligned idler shafts 5| and 52 disposed in right angular relanism 50 comprises two friction wheels 55 and 56 disposed between the friction plates 53 and 54 and respectively carried by the outer end of the stub shaft33 and the inner end of the register shaft 40. The friction wheel 55 is slidably secured to the stub shaft 33 by a pin and slot connection- 5'|58, the pin 51 being rigidly secured to the stub shaft 33 and slidably engaging the slot 58 formed in a sleeve 59 carried by the friction wheel 55. The position of the friction wheel 55 with respect to the center line of the aligned idler shafts 5| and 52, and consequently with respect to the centers of the friction plates 53 and 54, may be adjusted by an arrangement comprising a lever 60 pivotally mounted at its lower end upon a pivot pin 6|. The intermediate portion of the lever 60 carries a lug 82 which rides in a cylindrical recess 63 provided in the sleeve 53 carried by the friction wheel 55; whereby the friction wheel 55 may be moved toward the centers of the friction plates 53 and. 54 when the lever 60 is pivoted toward the right about the pivot pin 6| and away from the centers of the friction plates 53 and 54 when the lever is pivoted toward the left about the pivot pin 6|. The lever 6| is provided with a handle 34 to facilitate the pivotal movement thereof about the pivot pin 6|, the outer end of the lever 60' carrying a pointer 65 which cooperates with an indicia I scale 66 provided on a zone card 61. At this point it is noted that the indicia scale 68 provided on the zone card 61 is graduated in accordance with the various zones or rates of the telephone system.

Also the friction wheel 56 is slidably connected to the register shaft 40 by an arrangement comprising a set screw. slot connection 68-53, the set screw 68 being threaded in the register shaft 40 and engaging the slot 69 formed in a sleeve 10 carried by the friction wheel 56. This arrangement permits the position of the friction wheel with respect to the center line of the aligned idler shafts 5| and 52, and consequently the centers of the friction plates 53 and 54, tobe adjusted at will, in an obvious manner.

Further the machine l0 comprises a light projecting hood ll and a cooperating light receiving hood 12. The upper end of the light projecting hood 1| carries an incandescent lamp 13 of any suitable type which is connected to a suitable source of. current 14; while the upper end of the light receiving hood 12 carries a photoelectric cell l5of any suitable type which is connected to a suitable amplifier 76. The hOOds 1| and 12 are arranged in converging relation, whereby the lowerends thereof are disposed in substantially intersecting relation and closely adjacent to the front marginal edge of the toll ticket supported by the carriage I3, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

Finally the machine l0 comprises an electric circuit network including a start relay RIM, a

control relay RI I0, 2. stamp magnet MI20, a start key KI2I, an oil-normal switch SI22, a stamp switch SI23, a restore switch SI25, and a battery I26. The carriage I3 carries a projection I33 which normally. operates the off-normal switch SI22 when the carriage I3 occupies its normal or fully retracted position. Also the projection I30 operates the stamp switch SI 23 when the carriage I3 is advanced to the right to a position wherein an opening I3I formed therein is arranged in alignment with a head I 2| provided on the stamp magnet MI20; also at this time.

the opening I3I provided in the carriage I3 is disposed below and in alignment with the various, orders in the register 38. More particularly, at this time, the various orders in the register 33 are disposed above the indicia Cost of call" on the face of the preprinted toll ticket II for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter. Finally the projection I30 operates the restore switch SI25 when the carriage I3 is advanced to the right into a limit position for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

In order properly to support the toll ticket II upon the carriage l3, an arrangement is provided, comprising two spaced-apart angular guides I35 and a guard I36 carried bythe carriage I3. More particularly. the angularguides I35 are disposed on the right-hand end'of the carriage I3 and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of the toll ticket I I; while the guard I38 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin I31 carried by the carriage I3 adjacent the rear marginal edge of the toll ticket II and intermediate the ends of the carriage I3. The pivotally mounted guard I36 carries a button I38 adjacent the front edge thereof in order to facilitate pivotal movement of the guard I36 about the pivot pin I31. It is noted that the guard I36 is spaced a fixed distance from the guides I35, whereby the lefthand end of the toll ticket II is covered thereby up to the reference character 3" of the indicia scale disposed along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket Ii when the guard I36 occupies its closed position. Accordingly, when the toll ticket II is properly supported upon the carriage l3. s determined by the angular guides I35 and the guard I36, the uard I36 covers the lefthand end of the toll ticket I I up to the reference character "3 of the indicia scale provided along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket II, for

a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

Considering now the operation of the calculating machine I0 to establish a charge for the toll call represented by the toll ticket II, the operator in the Billing Department first examines the toll ticket II and notesthat the zone or rate is 4. The operator then sets the pivotal lever 60 by means of the handle 64 carried thereby, whereby the pointer 65 provided on the outer end of the lever 60 cooperates with the character 4 of the indi'cia scale 66 provided on the zone card 31. The adjustment of the lever 60 with reference to the zone card 61 effects a corresponding adjustment of the position of the friction wheel 55 with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 53, in an obvious manner. The operator then determines that the motor I4 is operating in order to cause the drive shaft 15 to be driven at a substantially constant speed in the counterclockwise direction; and determines that the incandescent lamp 13 disposed in the outer end of the light projecting hood II is bumrlage I3 as determined by the angular guides I and the guard I36, the guard I35 covering the left-hand end of the toll ticket I I up to the character 93 of the indicia scale provided along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket II. The operator then operates the release or clear-out key K43 in order pmitively to insure that the register 33 is released or cleared out at this time.

The operator then operatesappropriate' ones of the order set keys K35 to K38, inclusive, thereby to enter in the corresponding orders II to 43,

of. 'Also the start relay RIIIII completes, at the' contacts I02, an obvious circuit, including the restore switch SI25 and the battery I26, for energizing the electromagnet M23 of the clutch mechanism 23. Further the start relay RI00 completes, at the contacts I02, an obvious circuit, including the restore switch SI25, the contacts H2 and the battery I26, for energizing the electromagnet M33 of the clutch mechanism 34. Finally the start relay RI00 prepares, at the contacts I03, an obvious circuit, including the amplifier 16 and the battery I26, for energizing the winding of the control relay RI I0.

When the electromagnet M26 is thus energized the magnetic friction plate 25 is attracted and drawn toward the left along the operating shaft I1 into frictional engagement with the friction disk 24, whereby the operating shaft I1 is clutched to the drive shaft I5 and is rotated therewith in the counterclockwise direction. At this point it is noted that the friction plate 25 is moved toward the left by the electromagnet M26 against the bias of the coil spring 30; and that, as the operating shaft I1 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the coil spring 30 is wound. Rotation of the operating shaft I1 and consequently the bevel gear I3 in the counterclockwise direction drives the cooperating bevel gear IS, the idler shaft 20 and the drive gear 2I in the counterclockwise direction in an obvious manner. Rotation of the drive gear 2I in the counterclockwise direction drives the rack 22 and consequently the carriage I3 forwardly toward the right away from its normal position. When the electromagnet M38 oi the clutch mechanism 33 is thus energized the magnetic friction disk 36 is attracted and moved toward the right further away from the cooperating friction disk 35, thereby positively to insure that the operating shaft I1 is declutched from the stub shaft 33 at 7 the fact that the stub shaft 33 slides within the ing; The operator then positions the'toll ticket I I in its proper supported position upon the carsleeve 53 carried by the friction wheel 55 due to the Pin and slot connection 5153. when the carriage I3 is moved toward the right away from its normal position the oil-normal switch SI22 is operated, thereby to interrupt a further point in I the previously traced start circuit, including thestart key KIZI, for energizing the winding of the start'relayRIOll; however, the latter relay. remains in its operated position at this time due to the completed holding circuit, including the restore switch SI25, for energizing the winding thereof.

. As the carriage I 3 is moved toward the right from its normal position the light producedby the incandescent lamp" is projected by the light projecting hood II onto the right-hand end of the indicia scale provided along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket II and is reflected therefrom by the light receiving hood I2 onto the photoelectric cell I5. At this time there is no mark ,of the carriage I3 toward the right from its normal position the operating shaft I1 is declutched from the stub shaft 33, as previously noted.

Subsequently, when the carriage I3 is moved further toward the right from its normal position and when the extreme outer end ofthe line I2 scribed or drawn on the indicia scale provided along the front ,marginal edge of the toll ticket II rides under the light projecting hood II, there is a considerable reduction in the amount of light reflected from the toll ticket II by the light receiving hood I2 onto the photoelectric cell I3 due to the fact that the mark I2 mentioned is made by a contrasting or dark colored ink or the like. When the amount of light reflected onto the photoelectric cell I5 is thus decreased the amplifier I3 is controlled in an obvious manner, whereby the previously mentioned circuit for energizing the winding of the control relay RI I3 is completed. When thus energized the control relay RI I0 operates to interrupt,. at the contacts IIZ, the previously traced circuit for energizing the electromagnet M38 of the clutch mechanism 34; and to complete. at the contacts II I, an obvious circuit, including the restore switch SI25,

the contacts I02 and the battery I26, for energizing the electromagnet M31 of the clutch mechanism 34. When the electromagnet M31 of the clutchmechanism 34 is thus energized the magnetic friction disk 38 is attracted and moved toward the left into engagement with the cooperating friction disk 35, whereby the operating shaft I1 is clutched to the stub shaft 33. It is again noted that the movement of the friction disk 33 and consequently the stub shaft 33 toward the left does not in any way aflect the position of the friction wheel 55 with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 34. Accordingly, at this time, the stub shaft '33 and consequently the friction wheel 55 are rotated in the counterclockwise direction with the operating shaft I1. Rotation of the friction wheel 53 in the counterclockwise direction causes rotation of the friction plates 33 and 34 respectively in the clockwise and the counterclockwise directions; which rotations of the friction plates 53 and '54 eflect rotation of the friction wheel 56 and consequently the register shaft 43 in the clockwise direction, in an obvious manner. Rotation of the register shaft 40 in the clockwise direction operates the unit cent order in the register 33 directly, whereby the higher orders 43,

42 and 4| therein are intermittently operated in a manner well understood. Accordingly, rotation of the re ister shaft 40 in theclockwise; direction effects operation of the register 39, whereby additional amounts are progressiveh entered in the orders therein. j

When the carriage I3 is moved still further toward the right away from its normal position the right-hand marginal edge of the guard I36 rides under the light projecting hood H, whereby there is a considerable increase in the amount of light reflected from the uppersurface of the guard I35 by the light receiving hood I2 onto the photoelectric cell 15, due to the fact thatthe u per surface of the guard I36 is relatively bright or light reflecting. When the amount oflight reflected onto the photoelectric cell I5 is thus increased the amplifier I6 is controlled in an obvious manner; whereby the previously traced circuit for energizing the winding of the control relay RIIIJ is interrupted in order to cause the latter relay to restore. Upon restoring, the control relay RIIIl interrupts, at the contacts III, the previously traced circuit for energizing the electromagnet M31 of the clutch mechanism 34; and recompletes, at the contacts H2, the previously traced circuit for energizing the electro-, magnet M38 of the clutch mechanism 34. When the electromagnet M38 of the clutch mechanism 34 is thus energized the m netic friction disk 36 is attracted and moved toward the right away from the cooperating friction disk 35, whereby the operating shaft I1 is declutched from the stub shaft 33. When the stub shaft 33 is thus declutched further rotation of the register shaft 40 through the speed control mechanism 50 is arrested, thereby to arrest further operation of the register 39. Accordingly, at this time, the register 39 has been operated in order to enter an additional amount into the orders therein corresponding to the increment of charge for the toll call beyond the initial three minutes of conversational time. It will be understood that this operation of the register 39 and consequently the additional amount entered in the orders therein will be determined by the time interval during which the stub shaft 33 is clutched to the operating shaft I1; which time interval is determined by the photoelectric scanning arrangement including the incandescent lamp I3 and the D toelectric cell 15 in accordance with the length of the mark I2 drawn or scribed on the indicia scale provided along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket II toward the right beyond the 3 character of the indicia scale mentioned which is uncovered by the guard I33.

When the carriage I3 move still further toward the right away from its normal position, and, after complete operation of the register 33 as explained above, the projection I30 carried thereby operates the stamp switch SI23; at this time the opening I3I providedin the carriage I3 is disposed directly above and in alignment with the head I2I of the stamp magnet MI20 and be-- low and directly in alignment with the various orders in the register 33. When the stampswitch SI23 is thus operated there is completed, at the contacts I24 thereof, a circuit, including the contacts I23 thereof, the restore switch SI25, the contacts- I32 and the battery I23, for energizing the stamp magnet MIN. When the-stamp magnet MIZO is thus energized the head I2I thereof is forced upwardly into the opening I3I provided in the carriage I3; whereupon the toll ticket II is forced into engagement with the various oraeoaaea der wheels iI to M, inclusive, in the register 33. At this point it is noted that the various order wheels I to 44, inclusive, in the register 38 carry suitable type which is appropriately inked; whereby the total amount entered in the register 39 is printed on the face of the toll ticket I I as the established charge for the toll connection in monetary values when the toll ticket I I is moved into engagement therewith by the head In of the stamp magnet MIZB. Also the projection I30 carried by the carriage I 3 operates the stamp switch SI23, whereby there is interrupted, at the contacts I23 thereof, the previously traced air cuit for energizing the stamp magnet Ml shortly after this circuit is completed at the contacts I24 thereof. Accordingly the stamp magnet MI is energized only momentarily, whereby the head I2I thereof is first moved into the opening I3l provided in the carriage I3 and immediately withdrawn therefrom due to the action of gravity.

Finally when the carriage I3 moves still further toward the right away from its normal position the projection I carried thereby operates the restore switch SI25; whereby there is interrupted the previously traced holding circuit for energizing the winding of the start relay RIM and the previously traced multiple circuits for energizing the electromagnet M28 of the clutch mechanism 23 and the electromagnet M38 of the clutch mechanism 34, whereupon the start relay RIM restores. Upon restoring, the start relay RIIJi'I interrupts, at the contacts 10!, a further point in the previously traced holding circuit for energizin the winding thereof; interrupts, at the contacts I02, further points in the previously traced multiple circuits for energizin the electromagnet M26 of the clutch mechanism 23 and th electromagnet M38 of the clutch mechanism 34; and interrupts, at the contacts I03, a further point in the previously traced circuit for energizing the winding of the control relay RI Ill. The deenergization of the electromagnet M38 of the clutch mechanism 3! unlocks the associated friction disk 38; the friction disks 35 and 36 bein previously disengaged, as previously noted. The deenergization of the electromagnet M25 of the clutch mechanism 23 unlocks the friction plate 25, whereby the coil spring 30 retracts the friction plate 25 toward the right away from the associated friction disk 24. Accordingly, at this time, the drive shaft i5 is declutched from the operating shaft I'l.

At this time the coil spring 30 is completely wound and operates to rotate the friction plate 25 and the connected operating shaft I! in the clockwise direction. Rotation of the operating shaft I7 and the connected bevel gear l8 in the clockwise direction effects rotation of the associated bevel gear I9, the idler shaft 20 and the drive gear ii in the clockwise direction, in an obvious manner. Rotation of the drive gear 2i in the clockwise direction drives the associated rack 22 and the connected carriage 33 from the right toward the left, whereby the carriage i3 is moved back into its normal position. When the carriage i3 is moved toward the left back into its normal position the coil spring 30 is completely unwound and the projection I30 carried by the carriage I3 reoperates the oil-normal switch Sl22, thereby again to prepare the previously traced operating circuit for energizing the winding of,

10 in an obvious manner. At this time the calculating machine III is completely released and available ior further use tocalculate the cost of a toll call represented by another toll ticket, in the manner explained above.

In view of the foregoin explanation of the mode of operation of the calculating machin i0, it will be understood that, after the toll ticket II is placed upon the carriage I 3 in its properly supported position and the start key KI2i is oper ated, the calculating machine I0 operates entirely automatically to calculate the cost of the toll call represented by the toll ticket I I and to print the cost of the toll call in monetary values upon the face of the toll ticket I I; and is then released and prepared for further operation. Also it is.

noted that the time interval during which the clutch mechanism 34 is operated in order to clutch the operating shaft H to the stub shaft 33 is proportional to the length of the mark I2 drawn or scribed on the indicia scale provided along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket lI toward the right beyond the 3 character of the indicia scale mentioned which is uncovered by the guard I36. Accordingly, during the operation of the calculating machine ID to calculate the cost of a toll call represented by a given toll ticket II, the stub shaft 33 is rotated a predetermined number of revolutions in the counterclockwise direction depending upon the length of the mark I2 drawn or scribed on the indicia scale provided along the front marginal edge of the toll ticket l i, as noted above. This predetermined number of revolutions of the stub shaft 33 in the counterclockwise direction effects a proportional number of revolutions of the register shaft 49 in the clockwise direction, depending upon the position of the friction wheel 55 with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 54 due to the construction and arrangement of the speed control mechanism 58, in an obvious manner; while the position of the friction wheel 55 with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 56 is determined by the adjusted position of the lever 60 with respect to th associated zone card iii. In this connection it is pointed out that, when the pointer 85 carried by the lever 60 is adjusted to cooperate with successively lower characters on the indicia scale 66 provided on the zone card 57, the position of the friction wheel 55 is successively adjusted with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 54 successively further distances away from the centers. thereof and toward the peripheries thereof; whereby the predetermined number of revolutions of the stub shaft 33 in the counterclockwise direction efiects corresponding smaller proportional numbers of revolutions of the register shaft 4% in the clockwise direction, in an obvious manner. Each revolution of the register shaft 45 in the clockwise direction effects the entry of a fixed amount in the unit cent order 44 in the register 39, in a manner well understood; which fixed amount is initially established by the adjusted position of the friction wheel 55 with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 54. At this point it is noted that the initial adjusted position of the friction wheel 56 with respect to the centers of the aligned friction plates 53 and 54 may be selectively established by the adjustable set screwslot connection 88-69 between the sleeve I0 car- 'ried by the friction wheel 55 and the register shaft 40, in an obvious manner.

Finally, in connection with the operation of the calculating machine Ill, it will be understood that tary values in the register 39 by the operator;

while the additional charge for the time duration of the toll call represented by the toll ticket ll beyond the first three minutes mentioned is automatically entered in monetary values by the calculating machine ill in the register 39; and the register 39 is operative to add the initial entry and the additional entry mentioned above, thereby to register the total charge in monetary values for the toll call represented by the toll ticket H.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for calculating an item of cost for a telephone call from a previously prepared ticket bearing a reference indicative of the time duration of the call, comprising a carriage on which said ticket is mounted, a first shaft, means for operating said first shaft at a substantially uniform speed, means actuated from said first shaft for moving said carriage ata uniform speed, a second shaft, clutch mechanism connecting said shafts, means governed in accordance with said reference borne by said ticket during its movement with said carriage for selectively operating said clutch mechanism to determine the time interval of operation of said second shaft, 3, third shaft, variable speed mechanism connecting said second shaft to said third shaft, means for manually adjusting said variable speed mechanism to regulate the relative speeds of said second and third shafts, and a register connected to said third shaft and operative to enter an item of cost for the call in accordance with the total operation of said third shaft.

2. A machine for calculating an item of cost for a telephone call from a previously prepared ticket individual thereto bearing both a reference indicative of the time duration of the call and a character indicative of the rate applicable to the call; said machine comprising a movable carriage adapted to support the ticket, a drive shaft, means for operating said drive shaft at a substantially uniform speed, a first shaft, first clutch mechanism operative to connect said drive shaft to said first shaft, means for selectively controlling the operation of said first clutch mechanism, drive mechanism connecting said first shaft and said carriage whereby said carriage is moved when said first shaft is operated, a. second shaft, second clutch mechanism operative to connect said first shaft to said second shaft, means for scanning the reference borne by the ticket as said carriage is moved, means governed by said scanning means in accordance with the reference borne by the ticket for selectively controlling the operation of said second clutch mechanism to determine the time interval of operation of said second shaft, a third shaft, vari- 3. A machine for calculating an item of cost for a telphone call from a previously prepared ticket individual thereto bearing both a referenceindicative of the time duration of the call and a character indicative of the rate applicable to the call; said machine comprising a movable carriage having a normal position and adapted to support the ticket, a drive shaft, means for operating said drive shaft at a substantially uniform speed, a first shaft, first clutch mechanism operative to connect said drive shaft to said first shaft, manually operable means for operating said first clutch mechanism, drive mechanism connecting said first shaft and said carriage, whereby said-carriage is moved away from its normal position when said first shaft is operated, a second shaft, second clutch mechanism operative to connect said first shaft to said second shaft, means for scanning the reference borne by the ticket as said carriage is moved away from its normal position, means governed by said scanning means in accordance with the reference borne by the ticket for selectively controlling the operation of said second clutch mechanism, thereby to establish the time interval of operation of .said second shaft, a third shaft, variable speed mechanism connecting said second shaft to said third shaft, manually operable means for selectively adjusting said variable speed mechanism, whereby said mechanism may be adjusted in accordance with the character borne by the ticket, thereby to establish the speed of operation of said third shaft with respect to the speed of operation of said second shaft. whereby the total operation of said third shaft is established, and a register connected to said third shaft, said register being operative to establish an item of cost for the call in accordance with the total operation of said third shaft, means controlled by a predetermined movement of said carriage away from itsnormal position for releasing said first clutch mechanism, and means responsive to the release of said first clutch mechanism for moving said carriage back to its normal position.

4. A machine for calculating an item of cost for a telephone call from a previously prepared ticket bearing a reference indicative of the time duration of the call, comprising a first shaft, means for operating said first shaft at a substantially uniform speed, a carriage for supporting said ticket and connected to be moved by said first shaft at a substantially uniform speed,

c a second. shaft, clutch mechanism for connecting able speed mechanism connecting said second shaft to said third shaft, means for manually.

adjusting said variable speed mechanism whereby the operator is permitted manually to adjust the relative speeds of said second and third shafts to correspond with said character borne by the ticket, and a register connected to said third shaft, said register being operative to establish an item of cost for the call in accordance with the total operation of said third shaft.

said shafts, light responsive means governed in response to said reference during the movement of the ticket with said carriage for selectively engaging and disengaging said clutch mechanism to determine the time interval of operation of said second shaft, 2. third shaft, variable speed mechanism connecting said second shaft to said third shaft, means for manually adjusting said variable speed mechanism to regulate the relative speeds of said second and third shafts, and a register connected to said third shaft and operative to enter an item of cost for the call in ac.- cordance with shaft.

5. A machine for calculating an item of cost for a telephone call from a previously prepared ticket bearing a reference indicative of the time duration of the call, comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft adapted to be rotated at a uniform speed by said driving shaft, a clutch for connecting said shafts, a carriage for supporting said ticket, means actuated by said driven shaft the total operation of said third 13 for moving said carriage at a uniform speed, a register, means including a second clutch for actuating said register from said driven shaft, means governed in accordance with said reference borne by said ticket during its movement with said carriage for selectively operating said second clutch to control the time interval of op" eration of said register, means for operating said first clutch to start the operation of said driven shaft-and to stop the operation of said driven v to the call, comprising a movable carriage adapted to support said ticket. means including a first 14 shaft for moving said carriage with a substantialiy uniform speed, a second shaft, clutch mechanism operative to connect said first shaft to said second shaft, means for scanning the reference borne by said ticket as said carriage is moved, means governed by said scanning means in accordance with the reference borne by said ticket for selectively controlling the operation of said second clutch mechanism to determine the time interval of operation of said second shaft, a third shaft, variable speed mechanism connecting said second shaft to said third shaft, means for manually adjusting said variable speed mechanism whereby the operator is permitted manually to adjust the relative speeds of said second and third shafts to correspond with said character borne by said ticket, and a register connected to said third shaft and operative to establish an item of cost for the call in accordance with the go total operation of said third shaft.

BERNARD D. WILLIS. 

